Sunset Vows & Café Lights: Our Cozy DIY Wedding

When Jason and I decided to get married, we knew we wanted more than just a wedding—we wanted a day that reflected our big, beautiful, blended family, our creativity, and our love for doing life on our own terms. With seven kids, limited time (<4 months), and a budget that demanded flexibility, we went all in on a DIY wedding. Everything was purchased, created, or designed by us (with help from family and friends), and it all came together in the most magical way—beneath golden trees at sunset, beside an old barn, surrounded by love.

If you're thinking about designing your own wedding—especially with a big family—this post is for you. Here’s how we did it.

We dreamed of a wedding that felt warm, honest, and joyfully imperfect. We didn’t want grand or over-the-top—we wanted connection, laughter, and the kind of cozy elegance that fall naturally lends itself to.

• Theme: Think outdoors rustic-chic meets cozy countryside—muted earth tones, fall florals, candlelight, touches of wood and burlap.
• Location: A friend’s property near an old barn. It had golden fields, autumn leaves, and a sunset that looked like it was painted just for us.
• Guest List: Just close friends and family. With our crew of nine already being a party, we wanted to keep it personal and heartfelt. We had under 40 guests total.

We sourced nearly everything on Amazon, which made things so much easier for our already busy life.  Check out my Amazon shopping list here.  Amazon Shopping List | Adventures With 9 

• Wooden arch from Etsy + artificial floral from Amazon 
• Fresh flowers in my bouquet (local florist) + fresh flowers in Amazon jars, hanging from shepherds hooks down the aisle
• Lanterns with flameless LED candles
• White chairs (rented)
• White streamers (mess free) for our guests to toss. 
• Navy boys' suits from Amazon
• Girls burnt orange dresses from David's Bridal

• Several 8ft tables (rented) end to end to form one long table under glow of cafe lights
• DIY CVP pipe frame over the table to hang chiffon and cafe lights
• Perfectly tied and placed ribbon everywhere!
• Burnt orange and ivory table linens with muted golden napkins
• Gold-accented placemats + gold silverware (rented)
• Candles and candle holders from Amazon
• Amber goblets from Amazon
• Personalized wooden leaves seating markers from Etsy. LOVED these!
   

From the first vision board to the final sparkle of the cafe lights, nearly every part of our wedding was touched by someone we love. Here's what we did ourselves to bring this vision to life:

• Built our own wedding arch from Amazon. Add a mix of faux florals and dried stems—assembled with help from our family and friends.
• Constructed a PVC pipe frame over the dinner table and dressed it with white linens and twinkling café lights.
• Designed and purchased all table décor—runners, candles, garlands, and place mats from Amazon
• Cake Table: Purchased from Facebook. Painted at home with gorgeous chalk paint.
• Hand-painted the cake table and a rustic stand for wedding favors. Both purchased on Facebook marketplace
• Decorated all lanterns and centerpieces with faux greenery, ribbons, and flameless candles. Greenery and candles from Amazon.
• Ordered suits for all five boys from Amazon to keep it coordinated and budget-friendly.
• Chose the girls' dresses from David’s Bridal for a sweet, timeless look.
• Packaged local honey wedding favors in mini jars, tying each with ribbon and custom tags. Boxes from Amazon.
• Hired a local photographer to capture every joyful moment (and every flower girl twirl). Used Gig Salad to find our photographer.
• Booked a local guitarist who played acoustic covers throughout the ceremony and reception. Used Gig Salad to find our photographer.
• Worked with a nearby restaurant to cater dinner service—delicious, easy, and stress-free.
• Rented tables and chairs, then set everything ourselves.

We spent two full days before the wedding setting everything up—hanging lights, fluffing florals, organizing tables, laughing (and maybe sweating a little). The kids were involved in everything from craft assembly to centerpiece placement. It wasn’t just prep... it was part of the celebration.

This wasn’t just our wedding day—it was a family milestone. A perfect blend of intention and creativity.

As the sun dipped low behind the trees, painting the sky in soft gold and amber, we stood beneath the wedding arch Jason and I built together—now adorned with hand-placed florals. Jason’s best friend officiated the ceremony, his voice warm and steady, grounding us in the joy of the moment.

The soft strum of a solo guitarist floated through the air as I walked down the aisle, bouquet in hand—fresh florals wrapped in velvet ribbon, mirroring the blooms tucked into mason jars that lined the aisleway. Our seven kids sat proudly in front of us. 

Twinkling café lights began to glow above us as daylight faded. Surrounded by our closest friends and family, it felt like time slowed down. Every element—the setting, the people, the music, the warmth—was exactly as we had imagined. A moment stitched together with love, light, and intention.

If you’re wondering whether you can really pull off a DIY wedding with a big family and zero design experience—here’s my answer: absolutely. 

You don’t need a giant venue, a professional planner, or a massive budget to have a wedding that’s deeply beautiful. You need heart, vision, and the people who matter most. And a good glue gun.